Arizona weekly enterprise., 1887-12-10
APACHE MEDICINE DANCE.
Splendid Specimens of Indian Manhood.
 A Medicine Woman's Invocation.

As the mellow outlines of Fort Marion came ill view rnddy reflection of tho watchfire rose against the somber back ground of the sky, while shrill, wild cries were heard mingled with the steady beat of the tomtom. Passing through the old portculhs, as we entered the courtyard of the fort, curious scene presented itself.
 From the ramparts above hundreds of figures were seen standing, sitting, in every imaginable posture. Lining the stone staircase, croiched in groups upon the pavement of the court, the rest of the spectators smoked, chatted and enjoyed themselves. Occasionally the fire, hcaped with fresh logs, blazed up fiercely, giving us a chance to recognize some of the dark faces. Around it two dancers whirled. both splendid specimens of Indian man. hood. The firelight gleamed on their broad, naked chests, painted and tattooed with symbolic devices.
 On their heads were fastened curious square head dresses, to which pieces of metal were attached; these changed and jared with every motion, while the face was entirely concealed by thick woolen mask. Tall, straight as an arrow, their swift, supple movements showed the great muscular power they possessed. By sharp, wild cries the tribe signifed their delight at any particularly daring act, as when one of the men leaned so far over the fire that he seemed actually in the midst of 1t.
 For hours this dance was kept up, till the eye wearied of following their swift, whirhng movements. Finally there was el ;,,ra.-x-al. Il medicine dance" Emerging from the shadowy easement tall, bent fg,mo ap- peared, supported on either side. Led to low seat prepared for him within the circle of light. the poor creature sank into 1t half unconscious, while the men of the tribe to which he belonged formed themselves into a line.
 First came the two medicine men, Colie and Ustanc, full of the dignity of their office, wearing the medicine jacket and cap. One of them carried small tomtom, accompanying himself on this as he chanted the medicine song, a curious, n1onotonGus measure; then came the chief, walking alone, followed by the rest of the men Slo abreast. After | these came the women, and last of all the | children. The most perfect order pre- vailed, tho march around the invalid being performed in utter silence, except l the low muttering of the medicine nlen and the occasional shriil, mocking cries l of the dancers, who, running beside the | line, looked and acted like evil spirits.
 The marching was continued until from out the line medicine woman ad- vanced, and walking up to wkere the l r.., lox d. l and urrearthly she looked in the dim light, her swarthy face, half hidden by masses of black hair, lifted to the starry heavens. Her voice, veritable ''voix des launeS, now raised in an agony o1 | supplication or sunk to a low key of sol,- 1 bing entreatx, rang out cn the still night air. Strangely impressed, 1 noticed the revcrent faces and moving lips of the In- dians around me. Who will dare to as. sert that their prayers to the s-Great | Spirit, of whom even VIC, except by faith, can know so little, are worthless At length she stopped, stepping back intc her place in the line, while the marct was recommended.
 This ended the medicine dance,' tht invalid was removed and fresh relay O logs heaped on the fire for the last featllr, of the programme, dance in which al the tribes join. In separate lines the mel and women stood facing each other After Q few preliminaries of crossing over and back each squw chose a brave being obliged to dance with her partne all the evening. This festivity is gener ally kept up till morning, and as it wa already well into the ''wee sma' hours we decided not to wait for its termina tion, although politely urged to talk part, an invitation we were strougl, tempted to accept.-St. Augustine (Fla. Cor. Home Journal.